(indieWIRE/4.10.00) — As direct-to-Internet productions become morepopular, Hollywood guilds are taking a larger role in establishingguidelines for their members. Last week, the Director’s Guild of America(DGA) announced the approval of agreements for projects made for the web.

The agreements, similar to the DGA’s Low Budget Film Agreements, have beenadopted for the short-term, until, according to a DGA announcement, “theeconomics of Internet production and distribution become clearer.”

One aspect of the agreement is, according to the DGA, “that there is noresidual compensation for free Internet use.” According to the DGA, “thenew agreement requires that signatory Internet companies provide all DGAmembers with a deal memo and sets up the rules for residual compensationshould the project migrate to other markets such as theatrical, televisionor home video.”

The DGA indicated, “These agreements will serve the purpose of protectingDGA members in the areas of basic creative rights, credits, and pension andhealth benefits as guaranteed under the DGA Basic Agreement and FreelanceLive and Tape Television Agreement.”

“The DGA is committed to nurturing the development of Internet productionsutilizing DGA talent while at the same time protecting the economicinterests and creative rights of our members,” explained DGA NationalExecutive Director Jay D. Roth, in a prepared statement, “These newagreements will do that by allowing Guild members to be protected by a DGAcontract while working on current projects for the Internet.”

>> Aardman to Debut “Angry Kid” on AtomFilms

(indieWIRE/4.10.00) — Leading animation production company AardmanAnimations has extended its relationship with AtomFilms, announcing that itwill debut its latest creation, “Angry Kid,” on the Atom site next month.

In a 10-second clip sent to indieWIRE, the title character is introducedsitting on a couch watching television. He grimaces at the camera beforeassaulting it with the steak that he wields in his right hand. “I’m thedaddy now!” exclaims the kid, before the clip fades to black.

Created by Aardman’s Darren Welsh, “Angry Kid” will be presented in a seriesof 25 one-minute episodes released regularly beginning on May 8th via theAtom site at: http://www.angrykid.com.

The Kid is hardly a character for children, according to Aardman, “He’sanarchic, irreverent and definitely not suitable for family viewing –perfect for the Internet” explained Aardman’s Head of Film & TV ProductionsMichael Rose, in a prepared statement.

In January , Aardman and Atom launched “The Aardman Observer,” a siteshowcasing a catalog of Aardman animation on the AtomFilms site. Aardman’spopular “Wallace and Gromit” (directed by Nick Park) have won the companythree Academy Awards. They are releasing their first feature film, “ChickenRun,” through Dreamworks this summer.